"I Could've Been a Contender" 10/16/06

[Pete70s]

Meant to do this yesterday, but never got around to it..

This weeks contender:



Tommy Roe

Tommy Roe is not an artist that comes to mind when you think of early 60's teen idols who survived the British Invasion. But he did just that: First charting in 1962 with the "Peggy Sue" soundalike "Sheila", Tommy continued to chart throughout the 60's up until his final top-40, "Stagger Lee" in 1971.

Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas David Roe was heavily influenced by Buddy Holly and would create an image that made him more of a clean-cut rock n' roller than a teen idol. The formula proved successful, as he scored several hits between 1962-67. Among these hits were rockers like "Sheila", "Come On" and "Everybody", pop tunes like "Horray For Hazel" and "Sweet Pea", and ballads like "It's Now Winters Day". After a two year absence from the charts, he returned in 1969, fitting right into the bubblegum scene with "Dizzy", "Heather Honey", and "Jam Up & Jelly Tight".

Like many artists of his era, Tommy Roe is pretty much forgotten today, or is just remembered as the guy who sang "Dizzy". He may not necessarily be Hall worthy, but I feel he deserves some credit for being able to survive the ever-changing musical landscape of the 60's, adapting his style as these changes occurred.

[Ken]

I responded to this post earlier this morning, but for some very odd reason it seems to have disappeared. So I'm going to try it again.


I was never a big fan of the "teen idols" but I do like many of Tommy's recordings. Everybody, Sweet Pea, Jam Up & Jelly Tight and especially Dizzy are all personal faves.

I had no idea he covered Stagger Lee - wow!

[H2IZCOOL]

I saw this post a couple of days ago, was going to answer it, and got sidetracked. Then I forgot. Imagine that happening at my young age.

Anyway. I always enjoyed Tommy's songs. I consider him to be perhaps the best of the Buddy Holly clones (if not second to Bobby Vee.) I remember when I first heard Sheila back in the day, I thought it really WAS Buddy.

I think the Buddy-to-Bubblegum transition was a natural one. There is a lot of similarity in the style. It almost makes me wonder if Buddy may have tried some bubblegum himself if he had lived.

One comment on "It's Now Winters Day." Very pretty ballad, but Tommy sings the line:

"The temperature is falling now to minus ten below" Now what does THAT mean? Ten below IS minus ten.